Water Pump

[Savanh]

Does any one know when should I replace the water pump on my 99 boxster and it had about 66,000 miles. I would appreciate very much.

[kabel]

When it breaks? (sorry couldn't resist)

Mine went at about 98k, bearings started to fail.

[jotoole]

Have 2000 2.7 Boxster. Original owner replaced water pump @38,000 mi along with coolant tank per maintenance records, Porsche dealership, no reason given. My pump failed @ 73,000 due to broken impeller. If I were you I would replace it now to be on safe side.

[shaman1204]

Originally Posted by kabel

When it breaks? (sorry couldn't resist)

Mine went at about 98k, bearings started to fail.

How could you tell the bearings were failing? Noise?

[kabel]

correct, I detected a new noise coming from the engine bay.

[shaman1204]

Originally Posted by kabel

correct, I detected a new noise coming from the engine bay.

I started getting a squealing noise coming from behind the seats when the car turns over. Just had my alternator replaced and I recently replaced my serp belt as well. I had a feeling it could be the water pump. BTW my car is an 01 with 43K miles.

kabel: Did your noise happen at start up or when idling, driving, etc?

Don't mean to hijack the thread Savanh but this could be valuable info for both of us.

[kabel]

mine was not a squeal, more like a muted grinding noise, changed in pitch with engine rpm.

I was surprised at how small/shallow the impeller is on our water pumps.

[jotoole]

savanh-
you would be really pushing your luck if wait for a symptom. water pumps can suddenly fail w/o any warning, and when it fails, you are done for the day. you also risk a cracked head due to heat damage which may not show up immediately. i would guess i've had at least 3 sudden, total pump failures with no apparent symptoms, and i always have one ear tuned for any change in noise from any part of the car.
the folks on this thread are giving useful info, no disrespect intended, but i used up a lot of my luck in Vietnam and spend what's left carefully. (but not too carefully, no fun in that.)

[FrayAdjacent]

I came to determine that a vibration around 3kRPM was due to the bearings in the water pump going bad, but I started feeling the vibration probably 10k miles before the pump failed. When it went, the sound was nasty, it sounded like a can rattling around in one of my wheel wells.

Not a huge deal, replacing it myself was easy, and I found the part for $107 on eBay. Replaced the belt and changed the oil while I was in there. Total was around $200.


Can't hurt anything but your wallet to change it now.

[Franco]

Hi, i replaced mine at 50,000 miles, noise coming from engine bay sounded like a dice bouncing around in a Styrofoam cup.Pump did not leave me stranded, i drove around for 3 weeks before figuring out it was the culprit and changed it myself.

On a side note this is the first vehicle i owned that needed a new water pump and at such a low mileage, sometimes i wonder

[Savanh]

Hay guys! I very appreciate for all of your input. I will go ahead replace it and I'll try to do it myself. But, since I'm new to the Boxster. What else do I need to look for sign of problem, that way I can try to fix it before it fail.


Again I appreciate for your input.

Savanh

[pompous]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

Not a huge deal, replacing it myself was easy, and I found the part for $107 on eBay. Replaced the belt and changed the oil while I was in there. Total was around $200.

I just did mine as well and probably wouldn't say its on the level of changing the oil lol I thought it was a nuisance personally, but very doable w/an average selection of tools i'd say.

[Savanh]

Can some one help decide what brand or should just get it from any autoparts like autozone or NAPA?

Thanks! and I appreciate for your respond.
Savanh

[jmatta]

Originally Posted by Savanh

Can some one help decide what brand or should just get it from any autoparts like autozone or NAPA?

Thanks! and I appreciate for your respond.
Savanh

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find one at a generic auto parts store. I'd go to Pelican or Sunset if I were you.

[pompous]

I'm pretty sure all the generic autoparts stores can order them w/in a day or two and in my case NAPA had it in stock. I was pretty surprised at that as well though.

[mmontfort]

Got mine from Sunset in Florida for around $211.